Shopping in Beirut

The Beirut Shopping experience is truly unique as it offers an exhaustive range of both contemporary and traditional goods across a wide price range, ensuring that the shopping appetite of every visitor is fulfilled.

Beirut Shopping Zones

Every part of Beirut has something different to offer to curious shoppers. Some Beirut streets are adorned with amazingly cheap goods that are ideal for being taken back home as gift items. Goods like traditional craft items and hand looms can be found in the streets of Corniche. Similarly, the best of local shopping fare is concentrated along the Rue Hamra, consisting of some dingy-looking but popular clothing stores. The downtown area is more famous for its international stores and goods imported from the Asian sub-continent. However, the classiest of malls and the typical upmarket environment can be found among the haute couture outlets at Verdun.

Understanding Beirut Markets

Saturdays are the best time to buy organic foods at wholesale rates. The city’s largest organic market is located within the Souk el Tayeb. This place is also recommended for buying native cheese and breads. Similarly, the Sunday markets present a plethora of goods where every item can be bargained for and shoppers can obtain shockingly lower prices. Visitors who like to self-explore would love the Sunday markets for digging through the rummage that is unleashed on Sunday evenings. The Sunday market of east Beirut at Jisr el-Wati in Sin-Fil is regarded as the biggest one. Women can look forward to buying trinkets and jewelry items sourced from the surrounding cities.

Beirut Shopping Tips

The shopping extravaganza begins at the arriving airport where duty-free goods are offered. However, shoppers are advised to spend some time in gauging the quality of the goods since there is limited opportunity for after sales-service or complaints being handled. Rue Hamra is one of most commercialized locations in Beirut. Though it offers plenty of shopping options, it should be avoided on Saturdays as the nearby markets spill onto the streets, making it very demanding to navigate through the lanes. Select weekend shopping for making serious purchases. The locals usually shop on these days and, therefore, haggling for prices is more productive. Those who don’t want to explore too much should head toward the city center that houses more than 350 outlets. The more lavish malls are referred to as the souks.

Some More Beirut Shopping Pointers:

Artisan du Liban d'Orient

This store is regarded as the best in authentic Lebanese designs and traditional Persian fabrics. Many designs are contemporary versions of the traditional clothing that was once worn in Lebanon. The shop is a local favorite among the city’s residents for picking-up stylish household accessories. Some of the city’s biggest designers often showcase their new collections here.

• Location: at the Ain Mresseh, along the Sea Shore, Beirut
• Hours: Everyday, except Sunday; Monday to Friday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Aishti

Think opulence and the name of Aishti will immediately surface—such is the reputation of this store. Aishti is regarded as the one-stop solution for famous international brands, like Chloe, Jimmy Choo and Gucci. This store is renowned for its expensive but tasteful collection of designer clothes.

• Location: 71-El Moutrane Street, Downtown Beirut
• Hours: Everyday, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.